Passionflower (Passiflora edulis)

Other names: Maracuja, purple passion flower

Passionflower, also known as Maracuja or purple passionflower, is a very popular plant native to South America. It is remarkable for its beautiful appearance, but above all for its edible fruit, which is characterised by its distinctive and refreshing taste. This plant belongs to the passion fruit family and is cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It is characterised by its large, strikingly coloured flowers and ovoid fruit, which can reach up to 7 cm in size.

Maracuja is mainly known as an ingredient in the kitchen and in the food industry. Its ripe fruits are mainly used for fresh consumption or for making various drinks, fruit cocktails, juices, syrups, jams and ice cream. Its distinctive and specific taste has made it a popular ingredient in exotic dishes and sweet desserts. In some countries, passion fruit is also used to make wine. In addition to the fruit, passion fruit flowers are used to add to salads or to make tea. As well as its gastronomic uses, the plant also has medicinal properties. In traditional medicine, it is used to treat insomnia, nervousness or minor injuries and burns.